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Molecules
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Exploring the Potential of Plant-Derived Natural Anticancer Agents
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Exploring the Potential of Plant-Derived Natural Anticancer Agents

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 4626

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Ramunno

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84100 Fisciano, SA, Italy
Interests: anticancer agents; natural products; synthesis of small molecules, peptides, and peptidomimetics; medicinal chemistry; drug design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesca Aiello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: synthesis of heterocyclic compounds; chemotherapeutics; antioxidants; food-derived bioactive molecules; medicinal chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many plant-derived compounds are currently in clinical use as anticancer drugs or have proven to be useful chemical tools that can be used to investigate new targets, including those referred to as undruggable, involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Their unique structural features represent a relevant source of inspiration for medicinal chemists to generate promising chemical entities based on novel molecular scaffolds. However, despite the strong impact of bioactive natural compounds on drug discovery and development processes, it is likely that the vast majority of plant species, including those employed in traditional medicines, have not been fully explored.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent and innovative results in the field of anticancer agents of plant origin. We welcome original research articles and reviews covering the isolation, characterization, anticancer activity, mechanisms of action, and computational studies of novel natural compounds, as well as the synthetic analogs of phytochemicals with anticancer properties.

Dr. Anna Ramunno
Dr. Francesca Aiello
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant extracts
  • cancer
  • synthesis
  • bioactive compounds
  • in vitro and in vivo assays
  • drug-discovery

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 12486 KiB  
Article
Anticancer Effect of Cycas media: Molecular Basis Through Modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway
by Jawaher Alqahtani, Esraa M. Mosalam, Hend E. Abo Mansour, Aya Ibrahim Elberri, Hanaa A. Ibrahim, Sebaey Mahgoub, Ismail A. Hussein, Mohammed F. Hawwal, Maryam Al Hmoudi, Ehssan Moglad, Rehab Ahmed, Fatma Alzahraa Mokhtar, Engy Elekhnawy and Walaa A. Negm
Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5013; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215013 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
Many researchers are focusing on screening the biological activities of plants owing to their safety and possible pharmacological actions. Consequently, we aimed to explore the antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties of Cycas media methanolic extract on HepG2 cell lines. Moreover, we also explore the [...] Read more.
Many researchers are focusing on screening the biological activities of plants owing to their safety and possible pharmacological actions. Consequently, we aimed to explore the antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties of Cycas media methanolic extract on HepG2 cell lines. Moreover, we also explore the antitumor action against the experimentally induced solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) model and investigate the possible involved molecular mechanisms. Also, the antibacterial action of the extract was elucidated. Different concentrations of the extract were incubated with HepG2 to determine cytotoxicity, followed by cell cycle analysis. The in vivo experiment was accomplished by grouping the animals into four different groups (n = 10); normal control, SEC, C. media 100, and C. media 200. The extract was administered at 100 and 200 mg/kg. Tumor volume, tumor inhibition rate, toxicity profile, and antioxidant biomarkers were determined. Moreover, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was investigated as a possible underlying antitumor mechanism. The tumor control group showed a remarkable upregulation for PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR, along with downregulation for the antioxidant SOD and GPX4, as well as decreased levels of GSH and MDA. C. media extract reversed these parameters to a significant level and the higher dose showed a superior antitumor effect. C. media extract showed antiproliferative effects against HepG2 cells, along with a suppressive action on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and an antioxidant effect. Additionally, C. media had antibacterial consequences against S. aureus isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations from 32 to 128 µg/mL. It also caused a noteworthy growth delay as well as a notable reduction in the membrane integrity of S. aureus isolates. These beneficial outcomes suggest C. media to have potential antitumor and antibacterial activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Potential of Plant-Derived Natural Anticancer Agents)
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Review

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15 pages, 1319 KiB  
Review
Unraveling TRPV1’s Role in Cancer: Expression, Modulation, and Therapeutic Opportunities with Capsaicin
by Subramanyam R. Chinreddy, Nicole Tendayi Mashozhera, Badraldeen Rashrash, Gerardo Flores-Iga, Padma Nimmakayala, Gerald R. Hankins, Robert T. Harris and Umesh K. Reddy
Molecules 2024, 29(19), 4729; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194729 - 7 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Cancer is a global health challenge with rising incidence and mortality rates, posing significant concerns. The World Health Organization reports cancer as a leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to nearly one in six deaths. Cancer pathogenesis involves disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, [...] Read more.
Cancer is a global health challenge with rising incidence and mortality rates, posing significant concerns. The World Health Organization reports cancer as a leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to nearly one in six deaths. Cancer pathogenesis involves disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis. Among emerging players in cancer biology, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, notably TRPV1, have garnered attention due to their altered expression in cancer cells and roles in tumorigenesis and progression. TRPV1, also known as the capsaicin receptor, is pivotal in cancer cell death and pain mediation, offering promise as a therapeutic target. Activation of TRPV1 triggers calcium influx and affects cell signaling linked to growth and death. Additionally, TRPV1 is implicated in cancer-induced pain and chemo-sensitivity, with upregulation observed in sensory neurons innervating oral cancers. Also, when capsaicin, a compound from chili peppers, interacts with TRPV1, it elicits a “hot” sensation and influences cancer processes through calcium influx. Understanding TRPV1’s multifaceted roles in cancer may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for managing cancer-related symptoms and improving patient outcomes. The current review elucidates the comprehensive role of capsaicin in cancer therapy, particularly through the TRPV1 channel, highlighting its effects in various cells via different signaling pathways and discussing its limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Potential of Plant-Derived Natural Anticancer Agents)
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21 pages, 1081 KiB  
Review
Artemisinin and Its Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
by Luan Wen, Ben Chung-Lap Chan, Ming-Hua Qiu, Ping-Chung Leung and Chun-Kwok Wong
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3886; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163886 - 16 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone obtained from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua L. (qinghao). Artemisinin and its derivatives share an unusual endoperoxide bridge and are extensively used for malaria treatment worldwide. In addition to antimalarial activities, artemisinin and [...] Read more.
Artemisinin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone obtained from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua L. (qinghao). Artemisinin and its derivatives share an unusual endoperoxide bridge and are extensively used for malaria treatment worldwide. In addition to antimalarial activities, artemisinin and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects in recent decades. In this review, we focused on the research progress of artemisinin and its derivatives with potential anticancer activities. The pharmacological effects, potential mechanisms, and clinical trials in cancer therapy of artemisinin and its derivatives were discussed. This review may facilitate the future exploration of artemisinin and its derivatives as effective anticancer agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Potential of Plant-Derived Natural Anticancer Agents)
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